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The government's prerogative to act

Md. Au Akbar
Some observe that the government is occupied with lesser matters, turning a cold shoulder to our mundane woes. But, it has the prerogative and responsibility to decide priorities as per its vision, with regard to the inherited mess and the myriad issues that afflict the citizenry.
THE PM, with experience of governing in her first stint in power, is well aware of what she is supposed to do in this term. She knows about her job, and launched her fresh stint with a new-look cabinet amid p audits, thus making a good beginning. And then, her government has gone about doing what it deems fit to bring in order and put the polity back on the on rails Without debating the degree of success till date, we ought to agree that the government is keen to get its act together.
Some observe that the government is occupied with lesser matters, turning a cold shoulder to our mundane woes. But. it has the prerogative and responsibility to decide priorities as per its vision, with regard to the inherited mess and the myriad issues that afflict the citizenry.
Undeniably, the government has no
way to ignore the hard issues of everyday life, whatever else it does. At the same time, it is pledge-bound to let the rule of law prevail, right the piled up wrongs, and deliver justice in cases where it was denied by the previous regimes. So, water, power, et al, are not just what governance is all about.
With many knotty issues, including the BDR conundrum, it has to carve a way-out by handling them adequately. The government, presumably, knows what to do, what not to do, and when to do, just as "the wearer knows best where the shoe pinches."
But some tend to complain that the government has busied itself with more tricky issues than it, perhaps, is capable of dealing with. Some others charge it with opening up some old riddles that they say have potential to trigger new controversies. Should the government, then, sleep over illegal arms trafficking, abuse of public money, and grenade
attacks?
The opposition denounces the government for bringing up some nonissues (?) and straying from the pressing crises of water and power. In fact, the government is quite concerned about ending these problems, which are, admittedly, none of its making.
Strangely, the opposition leader alleges that the government is selling off sovereignty by deciding to join the "Asian Highway," whereas experts foresee big economic gains from the highway connectivity. Given the democratic right, the opposition must criticise and put public welfare concerns in the forefront, but it must be guided by pragmatic thinking rather than a jaundiced view of everything.
Some other steps by the government have drawn cynical reactions. The government is often blamed for politicising administration as it seeks to inject dynamism in its functioning by reshuffling. The blame seems ill-conceived, as the government has to remedy the mismatch in administration owing to the much - d iscussed , wholesale politicisation by the jote regime.
In all fairness, the officers who are competent and aligned with the government's scheme of working need to be placed in the right positions. The government has taken upon itself to do
justice to those who had been politically or otherwise victimised previously.
As is the case with a new government, officers of proven capability and reputation are being placed in sensitive positions. It is worthwhile to transfer the underperformers to the lesser spheres, and to put aside the recalcitrant who impede rather than help implement policy decisions.
Then, there is the long pending issue of the '71 war crimes trial. Our yearning for the promised trial must be fulfilled, which only the anti-independence elements will disrelish. A quarter is playing it out as a ploy to divide the nation. Is that not aimed to forestall the long-awaited trial? How long will the unmitigated, emotional burden of failing to punish the war criminals torment the national psyche?
Those who have had to so long suppress their heart-burning for avenging the brutal killing of their loved ones in 1971 will have solace after due punishment is meted out. As the nation has woken up to the issue, holding the trial will further cement our national bonds.
Next, follow the ongoing reinvestigation of the mysterious 10-truck load of arms, and dastardly bombings at public rallies and cultural gatherings. As the enquiries are digging out incredible
details of criminal apathy to putting the culprits on trial, the wisdom behind the move is being widely hailed.
Then, faced with the re-emerging threat of militancy, the government's clampdown on Islamic extremists and the hunt to uncover their networks and hideouts have been pretty relieving. But the opposition leader accuses the government of undermining our global image through
frantic anti-militant operations. Could the government stay blind to the menace? Should the militants be given a free rein?
Ultimately, won't we be benefitted if the administration is attuned to deliver, the motherland is connected with other Asian countries, and the scourge of militancy and the despicable legacy of misrule and injustice are removed?
Md. Ali Akbar is a Deputy Secretary.